Cheer Up the Lonely Day is July 11th

July 11th is "Cheer up the Lonely Day." When someone you know if feeing lonely or sad, how do you do to help him or her feel better? Here are five ideas that may just help take those blues away for your friend and at the same time make you feel good too!

1. Talking! It is free! It is personal! Moreover, it is one of the best ways to show someone you truly care! Allow them the airtime to share their feelings without interruption or judgment. Remember, you are there for them. You do not have to agree with what they are feeling, but respect the fact that they feel the way they do! Often times, just allowing a person to express how they are feeling, and them being able to hear themselves say it out loud, will help them get passed some of the negative feeling or at the least dispel some of the fear or anxiety they have built up over the initial issue. If your friend is simply lonely, has moved to a new location, or has had a loss in their life, by making sure they know you are thinking of them helps as well. Send cards, notes, and make phone calls to let them know that even with the distance or loss you are still there for them.

2. Gifts: (to be used in moderation and make sure they are simple) I hate to say it, but there are those I have found that will be repeatedly "sad" if they become accustom to receiving a gift to cheer them up. This is a bad habit to get into, but small inexpensive tokens are sometimes just the ticket. Some ideas I suggest would be a basket of homemade cookies with some inspirational quotes with it, fresh cut flowers from your garden, movie rental, a casserole, or a home cooked meal. There is nothing like a good home cooked meal to run the blues away! These gifts are from the heart and something even if you are not right there, as they eat their meal or glance at the flowers, they will feel your closeness and care.

3. Ask what you can do to help. Look around your friends' home; have they done their laundry, dishes, does the floor need swept or moped? Sometimes just cleaning the environment around a depressed or sad person will lighten their mood. Often times when sad everything else becomes a burden, making the initial situation even that much worse. So offer to help clean up or just pitch in and do it. If your friend has children, you could offer to take the kids to the park for a while, or some other activity. The children will appreciate it and the friend will have an opportunity to work on whatever is ailing them.

4. Take a scenic drive. I know with the price of gas this one is a little expensive now days, but a country ride or a walk along the local lake can be rejuvenating! Take a bike ride with your friend. Get active! Encourage it! I know often times a person who is sad has little to no motivation so it may take a lot of encouragement or a strong person to just say, "Come on, we are going for a walk (or drive, gym etc.)." Let them know while you are walking or driving, you can talk and try to figure a way out of the current mood.

5. Female friend who is sad or lonely: Do the girl thing. Do the nails, hands and toes, and do up the hair. Drink some wine, watch a couple movies, and eat chocolate. Male friend: Go to gym, watch a sporting event together, clean the garage, find local events going on, and get him out of the house.

I am sure everyone can think of many more ways that would help another get out of a gloomy mood. Think of things that help you get out of a rut or help you when you are down and try them. July 11^th is right around the corner, but you do not have to wait until then to put a smile on a friends face!